Singapore captain says Lions were robbed by ref in China loss

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By Lee Min Kok

KUNMING - The referee killed us. Singapore skipper Shahril Ishak did not mince his words after the Lions' 1-2 loss to China in their 2014 World Cup qualifying third-round opening clash last night.

The man in the spotlight was Lebanese official Andre El Haddad, who awarded two penalties to the Chinese and sent off Lions coach Raddy Avramovic in the second half.

Goalkeeper Lionel Lewis, who came on for the injured Izwan Mahbud in the 54th minute, was equally critical of El Haddad's decision-making.

'We were definitely robbed. It was very clear that it was 15 versus 11,' said the 28-year-old. 'The first penalty was 50-50, but nobody touched the Chinese player (striker Yu Dabao) for the second.'